The quest for integration: School mathematics and science

The importance of comprehensive reform-oriented curricula fbr the wide-scale improvement of elementary school mathematics has long been recognized. This article is a case study of one such curriculum, Math Trailblazers, from the Teaching Integrated Mathematics and Science (TIMS) Project at the University of Illinois at Chicago. Math Trailblazars and other TIMS materials attempt to integrate mathematics and science by emphasizing science as method and by focusing on a small set of variables that are thought to be fundamental. The TIMS materials are examined in a framework that considers the meaning of math and science integration and its possible advantages and disadvantages, and the difficulties in writing and implementing integrated materials.